Basic GSM frame structure

The basic element in the GSM frame structure is the frame itself. This comprises the eight
slots, each used for different users within the TDMA system. As mentioned in another page of
the tutorial, the slots for transmission and reception for a given mobile are offset in time so
that the mobile does not transmit and receive at the same time.

GSM frame consisting of eight slots

The basic GSM frame defines the structure upon which all the timing and structure of the GSM
messaging and signalling is based. The fundamental unit of time is called a burst period and it
lasts for approximately 0.577 ms (15/26 ms). Eight of these burst periods are grouped into
what is known as a TDMA frame. This lasts for approximately 4.615 ms (i.e.120/26 ms) and it
forms the basic unit for the definition of logical channels. One physical channel is one burst
period allocated in each TDMA frame.
In simplified terms the base station transmits two types of channel, namely traffic and control.
Accordingly the channel structure is organised into two different types of frame, one for the
traffic on the main traffic carrier frequency, and the other for the control on the beacon
frequency.

GSM multiframe
The GSM frames are grouped together to form multiframes and in this way it is possible to
establish a time schedule for their operation and the network can be synchronised.
There are several GSM multiframe structures:
Traffic multiframe: The Traffic Channel frames are organised into multiframes
consisting of 26 bursts and taking 120 ms. In a traffic multiframe, 24 bursts are used

for traffic. These are numbered 0 to 11 and 13 to 24. One of the remaining bursts is
then used to accommodate the SACCH, the remaining frame remaining free. The
actual position used alternates between position 12 and 25.
Control multiframe: the Control Channel multiframe that comprises 51 bursts and
occupies 235.4 ms. This always occurs on the beacon frequency in time slot zero and
it may also occur within slots 2, 4 and 6 of the beacon frequency as well. This
multiframe is subdivided into logical channels which are time-scheduled. These logical
channels and functions include the following:
o Frequency correction burst

o
o
o
o

Synchronisation burst
Broadcast channel (BCH)
Paging and Access Grant Channel (PACCH)
Stand Alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH)

GSM Superframe
Multiframes are then constructed into superframes taking 6.12 seconds. These consist of 51
traffic multiframes or 26 control multiframes. As the traffic multiframes are 26 bursts long and
the control multiframes are 51 bursts long, the different number of traffic and control
multiframes within the superframe, brings them back into line again taking exactly the same
interval.

GSM Hyperframe
Above this 2048 superframes (i.e. 2 to the power 11) are grouped to form one hyperframe
which repeats every 3 hours 28 minutes 53.76 seconds. It is the largest time interval within
the GSM frame structure.
Within the GSM hyperframe there is a counter and every time slot has a unique sequential
number comprising the frame number and time slot number. This is used to maintain
synchronisation of the different scheduled operations with the GSM frame structure. These
include functions such as:
Frequency hopping: Frequency hopping is a feature that is optional within the GSM
system. It can help reduce interference and fading issues, but for it to work, the
transmitter and receiver must be synchronised so they hop to the same frequencies at
the same time.

Encryption:

The encryption process is synchronised over the GSM hyperframe

period where a counter is used and the encryption process will repeat with each
hyperframe. However, it is unlikely that the cellphone conversation will be over 3 hours
and accordingly it is unlikely that security will be compromised as a result.

GSM Frame Structure Summary